HV Eatery 1 Of '100 Restaurants America Can't Afford To Lose'

IRVINGTON, NY — It's been a difficult 11 months for everyone in the Hudson Valley because of the new coronavirus and it's been difficult for restaurants as well.

In terms of dining, the disease made people choose whether it was safe or prudent to keep patronizing their favorite eateries. As a result, the restaurant industry has suffered major losses since the pandemic spread around the country, with many closing their doors.

In the Dec. 29 issue of Esquire magazine, Jeff Gordinier wrote about the restaurants that shouldn't be allowed to go out of business.

"100 Restaurants America Can't Afford to Lose" showcases dining establishments that, if they were to close, the country wouldn't be the same.

"We also hope you'll raise a toast to these spots around the country — old and new, scruffy and spiffy — that we consider restaurants that America can't afford to lose," Gordinier said. "Because if we lose them, we lose who we are."

One of those restaurants is in the Hudson Valley.

Irvington Delight, at the corner of South Broadway and Main Street in Irvington, specializes in homemade Middle Eastern food, including stuffed grape leaves, hummus, baba ganouj, shawarma, gyros and lamb kabobs.

Gordinier highlighted the stuffed grape leaves made by Amal Suleiman, saying she grows the grape leaves in a backyard in Westchester County.

He said the "seemingly random convenience shop" is "but one example of countless corner stores and bodegas around the United States where people carefully, passionately honor the cuisine of a home country that they left behind."

Irvington Delight posted its thanks on Facebook for the shout out.

"After such a tough year for everyone, this means so much to us and we absolutely love being here for the local Irvington and greater Westchester community!" the post said.

Read the complete Esquire article here.

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